During the past few years, I have become something of a TV fanatic. However, there are some things I don’t quite understand.

A good many of the shows have women as stars, and these females always look good, as if they’ve just come from the beauty shop and spa. It doesn’t matter how many criminals they chase or how many times these criminals try to kill them, their hair and make-up are always perfect, not to mention their bodies.

The campaign on the charter school constitutional amendment seems destined to end up in a courtroom rather than a classroom.

During the past couple of weeks, I haven’t heard many constructive discussions on this important issue. The talk instead has been dominated by threats of lawsuits and litigation, and even prosecutions over the campaign tactics being used by the two sides.

In the middle of all these legal threats has been the state’s top law enforcement official, Attorney General Sam Olens.

Whether they vote absentee or in person, vote early or go to their precincts on Election Day, all Georgia voters will have the opportunity to say “yes” or “no” to amending our state constitution. The words seem harmless enough to those of us not well versed in General Assembly jargon:

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?”

President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney go head-to-head this week in the first of three presidential debates, with the initial one at the University of Denver.

History tells us it’s unlikely the debate will dramatically change the course of the presidential race, one way or the other.

Even though debates might not swing many votes, it’s still important for voters to see how the candidates make their case for why they should be president and defend their position from the other side’s criticisms.

If I were to write about klutzes, there would be a lot to reflect upon with some of my friends. And with me.

I had an acquaintance who slipped on the sidewalk in front of an auto parts shop and banged up her face pretty good. It would have been sad were it not for the fact that she couldn’t stop laughing.

She also told everyone that her husband hit her. That’s not a joke with all the spousal abuse going on, but everybody who knew her husband knew it was a joke. Still, I’m surprised the police didn’t show up at their front door.

Eighteenth-century French Queen Marie Antoinette supposedly never really gave the flippant remark “Let them eat cake” when told the poor rabble had no bread to eat. Nevertheless, the legend lives on as an example of arrogance.

One of the saddest bits of news I’ve seen in a while was an announcement last week from the office of Secretary of State Brian Kemp.

To comply with an order from the governor’s Office of Planning and Budget to cut spending by $730,000, Kemp will lay off most employees of the state archives and close the facility to the general public on Nov. 1.

We never know when or where emergencies or disasters are going to happen – which is why it is so important to take action now to make sure your family is prepared for the worst.

How do you prepare?

• Assemble an emergency supply kit with everything you need to survive on your own after an emergency for at least 72 hours. This means having food, water and other supplies sufficient for your family and pets.

Depending on the scope of the disaster, local officials and relief workers will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately.